BirdNote Daily Spark Bird: J’orge Garcia and the Finch Robot
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Jan 8, 2026 In this episode, J’orge Garcia, a community technologist and maker behind the Windy City Bird Lab, showcases his journey from coder to urban bird advocate. He shares how using the Finch Robot at the Chicago Public Library sparked his curiosity for birds. J’orge reflects on the surprising discovery of finches in his neighborhood and the warm community he found along the way. His innovative approach blends technology and conservation, as he aims to create tools for studying urban birds, inspiring listeners to connect with nature.
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First Bird Encounters Through a Robot
- J’orge Garcia first encountered birds through technology using the Finch Robot while teaching coding at the Chicago Public Library Maker Lab.
- Programming the bird-shaped bot to sing, light up, or drive sparked his curiosity about real finches in his neighborhood.
Community Sparked A Deeper Passion
- After finding real finches, J’orge connected with a welcoming community of bird enthusiasts in Chicago.
- That community and his maker skills motivated him to create spaces for people to explore biodiversity locally.
Technology Bridges Making And Conservation
- J’orge realized he could combine making skills and community science to promote healthier urban environments.
- He used technology as both a tool and a way to bring diverse people together for bird advocacy.